Knitting machine



I. M. KELLEY.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED SEPT. 17. 192x.

Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

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l. M. KELLEY.

KNITTING MACHINE. APPUCATION FILED SEPT. 17. \921.

1,437,109. Patented Nov. 2

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UNITED STATES 1,437,109 PATENT OFFICE.

- IRVIN M. KELLEY, OF LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

KNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed September 17, 1921. Serial No. 501,387.

The invention is an improvement in knita ting machines of the constructional type having two needle-beds or carriers arranged edge to edge, with the needleu'eceiving grooves or tricks of each thereof registering or alining with those of the other; and havin also double-ended needles which are transferable from one needle-bed or carrier to the other thereof by being moved lengthwise out of the grooves of the former into those of the latter, so that the stems thereof slide through the loops which encircle them, such loops remaining engaged wit-h the said needles in readiness for continuance of the knitting. The transferal producesin the fabric being knit in a machine of such type variations due to the factthat while a double-ended needle is in operation in one bed or carrier, the needle-end which atsuch time is in action draws to one face of the fabric each loop that is formed by such needle, while after the needle has. been transferred to the other bed or carrier, and while it is in operation in the latter, the other endof the needle isin action and each loop formed thereby is drawn to the opposite face of the fabric.

Heretofore, in usual practice, the double-' ended needles of machines of the type in question have been unprovided with cambutts or heels, to be engaged by actuating cams as usual in the case of the needles of other types of machines employing needles which are independently moved endwise for the purpose of knitting. Instead, they are actuated to knit by means of iacks which" engage with the hooked ends of the-needles, such jacks being engaged by the cams of the machine and being reciprocated thereby, and in turn acting through their engagement with. said. hooked ends to reciprocate the double-ended needles for knitting. not been practicable'to provide double-ended needles with butts or heels, because the latter would catch against the loops upon the stems of the needles, in the endwise movement of the needles through such loops at It has I the time of being transferred from one needle-bed or carrier to the other.

The general object of thepresent invention is to render it feasible and practicable to furnish the double-ended needles of the said machines with butts or heels, and to actuate such needles directly by the knitting cams through the engagement of the latter with such butts or heels.

I accomplish this general object by combining with double-ended needles having cam-butts or heels, means for lifting over tion to lift and spreadand guide the loops over the butts or heels, so that the latter will pass through'such loops without catching the same.

The invention is applicable to either circular or straight machines.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which latter,- 7 Fig. 1 is a view showing in vertical section the cylinders of a two cylinder circular knitting machine having such embodiment applied thereto.

Fig. 2 shows'the cam-cylinders of Fig. 1 developed in a plane, and represents certain of the cams thereof as hereinafter mentioned.

Fig. 3 shows separately on alargerscale thanFigs. 1 and 2 a double-ended needle like that shown in working position in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 4 show separately two of the single-ended needles that are usedvwith the lower cylinder.

Fig. 5 is a view of one of the jacks used with the upper cylinder for controlling the double-ended needles.

Figs. 6 and 6 show jacks used with the lower cylinder for controlling the needles of Figs. 4 and 4.

movement between the former and the latter, as preferred in practice.

The double-ended needle 3 represented in Figs. 1 and 3 has, as usual, hooks 3 3*, at its respective ends, and hinged latches 3, 3, in connection with such hooks. .The intermeare furnished with knitting cams suitable for engaging with the cam-butts a of the double ended needle-s so that the latter will be operated to knit when they occupy grooves or tricks oft-he upper bed or carrier, as well as when they occupy grooves or tricks of the lower one. Such cams and the I cam-cylinders, etc, are required to be of a construction, etc, permitting the said needles to be moved from the upper bed or cylinder down to the lower one, or from thelower one up to the upper one. Knitting cams of con ventional character are represented at 4 and stituting a stop for the buttsor heels (1- which gand 3.

from the upper needle-bed or carrier toward limits the upward moven'ient of theneedlcs except where the latter are raised by the needle-raising cam 4, and also constituting a guide for the needles between the discharging point of the said cam 4 and the engaging point thereof. Also, the lower cylindrical cam-carrier 2* is provided, alongside the knitting cams 4", 4, with a like continuous shoulder or race 4*. Intermediate the dis- I engaging points and discharging points of the knlttmg cams of the upper and lower cam-carriers, respectively, the construction permits the double-ended needles to be shifted down or up, as the case may be, from one needle-bed or carrier to the other.

While a double-ended needle occupies a needle-groove or trick in the upper needlebed or carrier the latch 7) cooperating with the butt or heel (z hangs down away from the said butt: or heel, as in full lines in Figs. 1 When such needle is moved down the lower one, the loop held by the lower hook?) opens latch 3 and closes latch I) over upon the top of the heel or butt a, as

'C'indicated in Fig. 3 in dot-ted lines, so that as the needle slides down through the said loop the latter is expanded and raised to permit the heel orbutt a to pass there'- through.

I The double-ended needles may be moved fromone needle-bed or carrier to the other by hand. or known automatic 'meansfor transferring-them may be employed. I have series of jacks 5.

shown a mechanical arrangement which I have devised for the purpose, comprising jacks 5 in the needle-grooves or tricks of the upper needle-bed or carrier, and jacks (S, 6", in the corresponding grooves or tricks of the lower needle-bed or carrier.

The jacks-'3 of the upper needle-bed or carrier have butts or heels 5, and the upper cam-carrier 2 has a straight groove or way 7 in which said butts or heels normally remain, and a cam-way '7 in which they travel for the actuation of such jacks and by which the latter are moved downward at the desired time to push the double-ended needles downward from the uppcrneedle-bed orcarrier into the lower one. far enough to place their butts or heels (1 close to ledge or way 4* and within the range of action of the knitting cams of the lower can'i-carrier. Following this action of the jacks in transferring the doubleended needles to the lower needle-bed or carrierQthe ascending portion of cam-way T raises the jacks until their butts or heels 5 reenter the straight groove or'way 7. To keep the jacks in their elevated normal position until they are depressed therefrom to transfer the double-ended needles downward, each jack 5 has a rounded projection 5* uponits upper end and a ringshaped spiral spring 8 encircles the upper needlebed or carrier and the upper portions of the In the elevated position of a. jack, thespring engages with it just below the projection 5 and through its action against the said projection prevents descent of the jack until suflicient force to cause the projection to expand the spring and pass it is exerted, either by hand or by the cam provided to depress the jack. Vhn the jack is pushed upward again. the projection slips past the spring until the pro- ,jection is above the latter.

The jacks (3. 6. of the lower needle-bed or carrier have. butts or heels 6. 6 and the lower cam-carrier Q has a straight groove or way 9 in which said butts or heels normally remain, and acam-way 9 in which the butts or heels-6 travel for the actuation of the jacks 6 and by which the latter are moved upward to push the double-ended needles upward from the lower needle-bed or carrier into the upper one, and far enough to place their butt-s or heels a close to the shoulder or guide 4" and within the range of action of the knitting cams of the upper cam-carrier. The cam-way 9 also comprises therefore, they and 9, without being the cam-ways 7, 9. In order to cause the occupy the straight ways 7 deflected therefrom by butts or heels of the upper series of jacks to enter the cam-way 7 when it is required to actuate the said jacks to transfer the double-ended needles from the upper needlebed or carrier to the lower one, I provide a movable switch-cam 10, Fig. 2, at the entrance to cam-way 7 This switch-cam occupies normally an I inoperative position, clear of the straight way 7, so that it permits the butts or heels 5 'to remain within said straight way. \Vhen, however, the said transfer of the double-ended needles is required to occur, the said switch-cam is moved into a position intersecting the straight way, and then acts upon the butts or heels 5 to deflect them into the cam-way 7 where by the jacks 5 are actuated to move the said needles down into the lower needle-bed or carrier. Similarly, a movable switch-eam 10 Fig. 2, is provided'at the entrance to cam-way S) of the lower cam-carrier 2*, for the purpose of causing the butts or heels 6", 6 of the jacks 6 to enter the cam-way 9 when it is required to actuate. the said jacks to transfer the double-ended needles from the lower needle-bed or carrier to the upper one. 3

For some work, all of the needles employed in amachine may be double-ended needles provided with intermediate heels or butts, and with movable llatches' cooperating with such heels or butts. For work in which a length of rib-knitting is succeeded by a length of plain knitting, the work may be begun with needles of such equipment in the 'upper needle-bed or carrier, and ordinary single-ended needles like that shown at 11, 11", Fig. &, in the lower bed or carrier, alter nating in the respective needle-beds or carriers in the order required by the particular kind of rib sought to be produced. After the required length of rib-knitting has been produced, the transfer of the double-ended needles fromthe upper needle-bed or carrier to the lower one will provide for plain knitting in continuation of the rib-knitting.

For the production of stockings having narrowings and widenings as for heels and toes, etc., the machinemay be constructed with suitable provisions therefor, including means for throwing out of action the needles which are inactive during the narrowing and widening, and for rendering the other needles successively inactive for the narrowing and active for the widening. As one means of throwing out of action the needles which are inactive during the narrowing and widening, I have shown the lower camcarrier as having in communication with the straight way 9 a second cam-path 12 and a movable selective switch-cam 12 in connection therewith. This selective switch-cam 12 is farther from the surface of the lower needle-bed or carrier than the switch-cam 10" c-oacting with the main cam-path 9; The

needles 11 which are to remain in operation for the whole or a part of the time while narrowing and widening are belng effected are provided with short butts 11 which do a not project from the lower needle-bed or carrier far enough to be engaged by switchcam 12 when the latter, is moved from its inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 to its operative position, and likewise the jacks 6 of the double-ended needles which are similarly to continue in operation are provided with short butts 6. The single -ended needles 11 of the group which is required to be raised en-masse, and the jacks 6 of the double -ended needles which also are embraced in such group, are provided with.

transferal of the said needles from onecylinder to the other. To this end, any of the usual modes of making adjustment of the stitch length may be adopted. I have shown as a conventional means for the purpose a stitch cam 4which is vertically adjustable, it having a stem or stud a which extends .out through a vertical slot 4 in cam-cylinder 2 to the exterior of the said cam-cylinder, where it is adapted to be acted upon by any convenient means for effecting adjustment of the cam or fixing its position. A like slot 41 is shown in the lower ca1ncylinder 2, adjacent cam 4", and the latter cam is shown provided with a like stud 41 extending through said slot- 41* to the exterior of such cam-cylinder, where it is accessible for the purpose of effecting adjustment of cam 4" to vary the length of the loops or stitches drawn thereby.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some of the features of the invention are applicable in the case of machines in which the needle-groovesor tricks of one bed or carrier alternate with those of the ether, in which case insteadof moving the needles straightwise from the grooves or tricks of one bed or carrier into registering grooves or tricks of the other they will have to be shifted or transferred otherwise into the disalined grooves or tricks. Also. some of the features may be applied in the case of knitting machines having the needle-beds or carriers disposed at an angle with each other, as in various known types of circular and straight machines.

&

'hat is claimed as the invention is.-

l. A knitting machine netalle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining to enable needles to be transferred by movement endwise from one bed or carrier to the other. cams in connection with each bed or carrier for actuatin'gthe needles therein to knit. double-ended needles movable from the grooves or tricks of one bed or carrier to those of the other and having cam-butts or heels adapted tov be engaged by the said cams to actuate the needles to knit when in the respective beds or carriers. and means for lifting over the said butts or heels knitting loops which surround the needle-stems, so as to permit the butts or heels to v the endwise transferal of the needles from one b'ed or carrier to the other.

2. A knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining to enable needles to be transferred by movement endwise from one bed or carrier to the other, cams in connection with each bed or carrier foract-uating the needles therein to knit, dotible= ended needles movable from the grooves or tricks of'one bed or carrier to those of the other and having cam-butts or heels adaptedto be engaged by the said cams to actuate the needles to knit when in therespective beds or carriers. and latches movably combined with the said needles for lifting over the said butts or heels knitting loops which surround the needle-stems. so as to permit the butts or heels to pass "through such loops in the endwise transferal of the needles from one bed orcarrier to the" other.

3. A knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with theirneedle-receiving grooves 0r tricks registering or alining to enable needles to be transferred by movement endwise from one bed or carrier to the other, cams in connection with each bed or carrier for actuatingthe needles therein to knit, double-ended needles movable from the grooves or tricks of one bed or carrier to those of the other and having cam-butts or heels adapted to be engaged b v the said cams toactuate the needlesto knit when in the respective beds "or carriers. and latches lunged to the needles heels so as to through and adapted to swing over the sald butts or permit the latter to pass knitting loops surrounding the needle-stems in the endwise transferal of the needles from one bed or'carrier to the other. i

A knitting machine comprising, two

needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edgewlth their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining, knitting cams in conjunction with the respective beds or comprising two and means for pass through such loops in' ting loops" surrounding the needle-stems at time of transfer.

A knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining. knitting cams in conjunction with the respective beds or carriers, double-emled needles occupying the said grooves or tricks and having cambutts or heels which are engaged by the knitting cams ot' the bed or carrier for the time being containing them and actuated thereby to knit, cams and jacks for moving the said needles from one bed or carrler to'the other and out of the range of action of one setof knitting cams into that of the other set. and latches movably combined with the needles for lifting over the said butts or heels. to permit the needles to transfer from one bed or carrier to the other knitting loops snrroui'iding the needle-stems at time of transten' 6. A knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining, knitting cams in conjunction with the respective beds or carriers, double-ended needles occupying the said grooves or tricks and having cam-butts or heels which are engaged by the knitting cams of the bed or carrier for the time being containing them and actuated thereby to knit, cams and jacks for moving the said needles'trom one bed or carrier to the other and out of the range of action of one set of knitting cams into that of the other set. and latches hinged to the said needles and adapted to swing into position to guide overthe said butts or heels knitting loops surrounding the needle-stems in the endwise transferal of the needles trom one bed or carrier to the other;

7. A rib knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining, knitting cams in conjunction with the respective beds. or carriers. double-ended needles working in certain of the said grooves or tricks and having cam-butts or heels which are engaged by the knitting cams of the bed or carrier which for the time being contains them and actuated thereby to knit, single-ended cams into that of the other set. and also for reversely transferring them. selective butts or heels in connection with certain oi the single-ended needles and also with the jacks of their bed or carrier tor certain of the double-ended needles. and a selective cam in connection with such bed or carrier tor coaction with saltl selective butts or heels in moving the correspt'in'ding needles out (it working relations with the knitting cams of such bed or carrier.

h. A rib-knitting machine comprising two needle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining. knitting canis in can;

junction with the respective beds or carlltl'S. double-ended needles working in certain of the said grooves or tricks and having cam-butts or heels which are engaged by the knitting cams ot the bed or carrier which for the time being contains them and actuated thereby to knit. single-ended needles in one bed or carrier alternating with the double-ended ones in the. order of arrangement. cams andjacks for moving the double-ended needles from the bed or carrier primarily containing them to that containing the single-ended needles and out of the range of action of one set of knitting cams into that of the other set. and also for reversely transterrmg them. means by WVhlCll knitting loops surrounding the stems of the double-ended needles are lifted over the heels or butts of the latte at the time of the transfer of such needles from one,

bed or carrier to the other, selective butts or heels in connection with .certain of the single-ended needles and also with the jacks of their bed or carrier for certain ot the double-ended needles. and a selective am in connection with such bed or carrier for coaction with said selective butts or heels in moving the corresponding needles out of working relations with the knitting cams of such bed or mirrierv I 9. A rib-knitting machine comprising two needle beds or carriers disposed. edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves ortricks registering or aiming. knit-ting cams in conjunction with the respective beds or carriers, tlfill lltt-tlultti needles working in certain of the said grooves 01: tricks and having cambutts or heels which are engaged by the knitting canis ot' the bed or carrier which for the time being contains them and actuated thereby to knit, single-ended needles in one bed or carrier alternating with the double-ended ones in the order of arrange transt'errii g knitting loops surrounding the merit. cams and jacks for moving the double ended needles from the bed or carrier primarily containing them to that containing the single-endml needles and out of the range of action of one set. of knitting cams into that ol' tl her set. and also for reversely i'eni. movable latches by which stems of the double-ended needles are lifted amthe heels or butts ot' the latter at the time of the transfer of such needles from one bed or carrier to the other. selective butts or heels in connectionwith certain of the singleended needles and also with the jacks of their bed or carrier for certain of the doubh nection with such bed .or carrier for coaction with said selective butts or heels in moving the corresponding needles out of working relations with the knitting cams of such bed or carr er.

l-ti. A rib-knitting machine comprising two neet-lle-beds or carriers disposed edge to edge with their needle-receiving grooves or tricks registering or alining. knitting cams in conjunction with the respective beds or carriers. double-ended needles working in certain of the said grooves or tricks and having cam-butts or heels which are engaged by the knitting cams of the bed or carrier which for the time being contains them and actuated thereby to knit. single ended needles in one heddor carrier alternating with the double-ended ones in the order of arrangement. cams and acks for moving the double-ended needles from the bed or carrier primarily containing them to that containing the single-ended needles and out of the range of action of one set of knitting cams into that of the other set. and also for reversely transferring them. latches hinged to said double-ended needles by which knitting loops surrounding the stems of such needles are lifted over the heels or butts of the latter at the time of the transfer of 'such needles from one bed or carrier to the other, selective butts or heels in connection with certain of the single-ended needles and also with the jacks of their bed or carrier for certain of the doubleended needles. and a selective cam in connection with such bed or carrier for coaction with said selective butts or heels in moving the. corresponding needles outof working which knitting loops which surround needles withdrawn from one bed oncarrier and transferred to the other thereof are lifted over the butts or heels of such needles.

.12. A knitting machine comprising two needle-heds or carriers disposed edge to edge rains in connection with each bed or carrier tor actuating the needles therein to knit. double -ended needles transferable from one bed or carrier to the other and havingcmn-butts or heels adapted tobe en- ,e aged by the, cams in connection Withthe respective beds or carriers, and movable latches by which knittlng'loops WlllGll surround needles withdrawn from one bed or .carrier and transferred to the other thereof are lifted over the butts, or heels of such needles.

13. A knitting machine comprising two needle-beds orcarriers disposed edge, to edge, cams in connection w th each bedlor' carrier for actuating the needles therein to knit, double-ended needles transferable from onehed or earrier'to the other and having earn-butts or heels adapted to beengaged by the cams in connection with the 'a knitting needle having. a cam-butt r heel intermediate its ends, and a movable l0op-lifter c0- operating with said butt or heel to expand loop encompassing the needlestem so as to enable the butt 0r heel to pass therethrough.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IRVIN M. KELLEY.

Witnesses C'HAs. F. RANDALL, ELLEN O. SPRINGQ 

